Carers are people who look after a relative, child or friend who has a disability, a chronic illness, mental illness or who is frail aged.

Carers do not often recognise that they are carers. Carers can become isolated and lonely as their role can be a 24-hour job. The job of caring is made harder when they are not aware of services and benefits available to support them.

Carers NSW is an organisation established in 1975 to act as an information, support and referral service to help carers in the community. It operates the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre, employs an Aboriginal Carer Program Co-ordinator and provides a free Carer Support Kit.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Carer Support Kit

The aim of the kit is to provide a range of practical information to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.

It is designed to:

• Give information relevant to individual care situations.

• Let carers know where they can go for help.

This kit is free to all carers. To get a copy of your support kit please contact the Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre on freecall 1800 242 636.

Aboriginal Carer Program Coordinator

Role:

• To provide information and support to service providers so they can assist Aboriginal carers

• To promote Aboriginal carers and their issues

• To promote Carers NSW

• To provide Aboriginal carers and service providers with the ATSI Carer Support Kit and other available resources

• To arrange training/workshops with local communities

If you would like to speak to the Aboriginal Carer Program Coordinator please phone freecall 1800 242 636.

Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre

This Centre provides assistance to all carers, such as:

• Information and referral, for example on carer support groups and programs around NSW
• Free Carer Support Kit
• Emotional Support
• Counselling Programs

The Commonwealth Carer Resource Centre can also be contacted on freecall 1800 242 636 or visite their website - www.carersnsw.asn.au

You will be able to speak to an Aboriginal Carer Support Officer.